Sports Betting Blog

With 10 weeks remaining in the MLS regular season the time is ticking down for the teams still in contention to make their moves with tight races both at the top of the conference standings and in the battles for the final playoff spots. Those postseason scenarios are a big part of why soccer fans are so excited about three matchups for this week in particular including in the Western Conference where the top five teams are separated by only five points. Here is a look at the best bets on the board for the three most intriguing games on this week’s MLS betting card.

Toronto FC vs. Orlando City SCSaturday, 4:00 PM ET

Saturday’s MLS action kicks off with crucial points on the line in Toronto where two Eastern Conference sides that have struggled with consistency all season will clash. Only three points separates fifth-place Toronto from Orlando SC in seventh place and while TFC handed Orlando a 4-1 beating in their most recent meeting earlier this month they have struggled overall since that victory. The storyline heading in to that game was rookie Cyle Larin and his pursuit of the outright MLS rookie goal-scoring record in his hometown but it quickly turned in to a display of Sebastian Giovinco’s dominance as he recorded a hat trick in the lopsided win. Larin hasn’t scored in his last three matches including that game against Toronto and it won’t help Orlando that they will be without Tyler Turner and Darwin Ceren for this match. TFC will be eager to get back on track with a win this weekend as they get the chance to extend their lead on Orlando and move one step closer to clinching their first playoff appearance in franchise history so look for them to come out flying and produce a similar effort to the one they put together in a 4-1 win over Orlando earlier this month.

Pick: Toronto FC

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC DallasSaturday, 10:00 PM ET

The Whitecaps are right behind the LA Galaxy at the top of the Western Conference standings right now and will look to hold down that position in arguably the most highly-anticipated matchup of the week when they host FC Dallas on Saturday night. FC Dallas is five points behind LA for top spot in the Western Conference but they have three games in hand and a win this weekend would put them within striking distance of first place. The Whitecaps will be looking to avenge last year’s 2-1 playoff loss but they have struggled with consistency at home this season and they could be vulnerable against an FC Dallas side that will no doubt bring its best game to the table in this contest.

Pick: Draw

LA Galaxy vs. New York City FCSunday, 3:00 PM ET

While Vancouver’s battle with FC Dallas is the most important game as far as the standings are concerned there is no doubt that the Galaxy’s clash with NYCFC will be the most star-studded affair of the week as both teams are loaded with foreign talent. David Villa, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane are all expected to feature in this game and there will be important points on the line with LA fighting for top spot in the Western Conference and New York fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. NYCFC will be the more desperate team but the Galaxy have won three in a row and will be very hard to earn even a single point against at home in this primetime game.